Central Collegiate Institute's annual Haunted House, put on by the school's music program as a fundraiser for their yearly band trip, is back on this Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., with a repeat of last year's 'haunted hospital' theme, which proved both popular and legitimately scary.
"This is our annual music fundraiser for our band trip," explained band teacher Paul McCorriston. "We're planning on going to Calgary this year, in the spring, so we'll be raising money for that.
"We're sticking with the same theme as last year, which was a haunted hospital. There will be some variation, but it worked really well. ... We had people lined up down the hallway for the entire two hours we were open, and we just barely got everyone through, so it was a really good turnout, and we just scared the crap out of all of them. It's full on, it's terrifying."
The Haunted Hospital, complete with electro-shock chamber, a nightmare surgical suite, an exorcism chamber, and much more, will open immediately after school on Halloween. There is loud music, sound effects, smoke machines, strobe lights, jump scares, leg-grabbers, and screamers.
Admission is $5 per person, with all proceeds going to CCI's music program. There is no minimum age. McCorriston noted that guests can tell him (he plays the hospital administrator) or another host if they want a toned-down experience, but it will be scary no matter what.
"If someone is really scared, or they want a less intense experience, they just have to tell me and I'll let my students know, you know, no leg-grabbing this time and so on, but it is still terrifying. If you have a four- or five-year-old who doesn't like the dark, do not come at all!"
Central's music space lends itself perfectly to the yearly haunted house transformation, with a maze of interconnected rooms. Students and staff spend several days beforehand enthusiastically decorating in macabre, spooky, ghastly, lurid fashion.
McCorriston said he'll have help with the 'tour guide' role this year, thanks to an intern, so they'll be able to get guests through about every two-and-a-half minutes.
"We're really grateful for all the people that come out, everyone always has fun and it's really popular," McCorriston added. "The kids are looking forward to it, as well, so we're anticipating another successful fundraiser."
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